The rationale that the team used 4 DL on passing situations to rationalize the move to the 4-3 is completely irrational. The DL were asked to go after the QB and weren't asked to defend the run. In addition, the team had 1 sometimes only 2 LBs and, again, they were asked to defend the pass. The position of the safeties also differ on passing situations.

Moving to the 4-3 means a lot of change. It means changes to how the LBs are used and a big change for someone like Bruce Carter. The safeties' responsibilities also change, being used less in blitzes and more in the running game.

If the team re-signs Spencer, he'll be the Slam LB. There's no way the team can go with him and Ware as the starting DEs. The team would just get run over with such an undersized DL.

For what it's worth, Carter did play OLB at UNC. So, the position wouldn't be completely foreign to him.

I had looked up the size of our guys a couple of weeks ago and compared them to the Giants DL, because I thought we might be undersized to run the 4-3, but we're really not, especially if we can a D-Lineman early in one of the first two rds of the draft.

I say franchise Spencer again. Gives us insurance, in case we don't feel we have a replacement, or are unable to draft a potential replacement at DE this year. I like the flexibility of the 3-4, but it seems so difficult and expensive to get/keep a true NT and OLB. I like the idea of our best pass rushers being able to not have to worry about coverage. I hope we go 4-3.

I say franchise Spencer again. Gives us insurance, in case we don't feel we have a replacement, or are unable to draft a potential replacement at DE this year. I like the flexibility of the 3-4, but it seems so difficult and expensive to get/keep a true NT and OLB. I like the idea of our best pass rushers being able to not have to worry about coverage. I hope we go 4-3.

You franchise Spencer and you're losing $12-13m in cap space - either sign him or lose him but you'd be hard pressed to franchise him and stay under the cap even with major cuts and restructured._________________#Romo4MVP #FinishTheFight #WeDemBoyz

I say franchise Spencer again. Gives us insurance, in case we don't feel we have a replacement, or are unable to draft a potential replacement at DE this year. I like the flexibility of the 3-4, but it seems so difficult and expensive to get/keep a true NT and OLB. I like the idea of our best pass rushers being able to not have to worry about coverage. I hope we go 4-3.

Sign him...franchise is too much money and would force us to get an OLB in 2014. Additionally...Spencer is made for a 4-3 base on what Broddaus has stated. No reason to cut Ratliff because his dead money would be the equivalent of his savings=1 million. He could be our DT along with Hatcher. Both Hatcher/Ratliff could be stop gaps at DTs for at least another year rotating them in and out with Lissemore/Price/Callaway. I'm hoping we can shore up our OLINE with the 1st and 2nd round picks. Then 3rd and 4th could be a DT or S.

Maybe a move to a 4-3, is a sign of the FO not believing that they will be able to sign Spencer and unwilling to franchise him again, and having more faith in finding a 4-3 DE then a NT and OLB in the draft?

I don't like the firing of Rob, but I have to say that I do like 4-3 defences. Just not quite sure how good I feel about Ware with the hand in the ground on a regular basis? as someone has pointed out to me before, he has had his fair share of injuries lately. Well, we must hope that his shoulder will be able to hold up when running into 310+ guys when passrushing 99% of his time on the field next year.

LM: Are you working with Donald Trump? Heís a Jets fan, right? Maybe A.J. to the Jets one day?

KW: I actually spoke with him earlier today, and he was wanting to meet with both of us if we make it up to New York. Iím working with his publicist trying to handle all of this media madness right now. And A.J. really wants to play for the Dallas Cowboys, so weíll see what happens.

Is Rob Ryan the scapegoat who allows Garrett and the offense to escape relatively unscathed?

If you believe that, you donít know Jerry.

The assumption persists that Jones will force Garrett to relinquish his play-calling duties. The question is whether offensive coordinator Bill Callahan takes over or the Cowboys turn outside the organization.

The ownerís unrest isnít restricted to who wears the headset and barks calls during a game. It goes to the offensive scheme.

Garrett has presided over this offense for six seasons as the offensive coordinator or head coach. The Cowboys have ranked among the NFLís top seven in four of those seasons.

Thatís in yards gained. The offense has cracked the top 10 in points just twice, and one of those came when backup Jon Kitna started nine games for an injured Tony Romo.

The disconnect between yards gained and points scored has been an issue these past two seasons. Itís the sign of an inefficient offense, one that has grown stale.

I hope we don't bring in 100 year old Kiffin, and I'm not sure what Wannstedt brings other than a great mustache.

This is the father of the 4-3 defense, and - Lebow seems to be doing well running the Steelers defense. Lebow is about 20 years older than Kiffin.

Who do you think taught, Lovie Smith all he knows! Just because he is old doesn't mean that he can't still coach.

Lebeau is 3 yrs older(75) than Kiffin(72). Steelers D wasn't very good this year. Not doubting Lebeau/Kiffin's knowledge, but not sure if they have the energy the job demands. Plus, they have no motivation. They've done everything they have wanted to do in football. Rather have Keith Butler or Lovie Smith.

I say franchise Spencer again. Gives us insurance, in case we don't feel we have a replacement, or are unable to draft a potential replacement at DE this year. I like the flexibility of the 3-4, but it seems so difficult and expensive to get/keep a true NT and OLB. I like the idea of our best pass rushers being able to not have to worry about coverage. I hope we go 4-3.

You franchise Spencer and you're losing $12-13m in cap space - either sign him or lose him but you'd be hard pressed to franchise him and stay under the cap even with major cuts and restructured.

Unless we can get a deal close to Brooks, we are averaging almost the franchise number. My guess would be he signs for around 8mil/year. At that cost, I'd rather keep him one more year, and eat 2mil in cap space, than dole out that kind of contract to an inconsistent player.